TEACHER OF THE YEAR AWARD

The Teacher of the Year Award recognizes an outstanding NJMTA member who exemplifies excellence in teaching, character, and service, to be in line with MTNA’s Teacher of the Year Award, given at the annual National Conference. The recipient demonstrates exceptional professional qualifications and a deep commitment to inspiring musical growth, while maintaining exemplary communication with students, parents, colleagues, and the community.

Honorees embody integrity, collegiality, and professionalism, creating an atmosphere of respect and care through their ethical standards and personal dedication. They also show selfless service to the music teaching profession through volunteerism, mentorship, and leadership roles within organizations such as NJMTA, MTNA, or another organization. Candidates must have been active NJMTA members for a minimum of five consecutive years and provide documentation of teaching achievements, leadership, community involvement, and letters of recommendation in support of their nomination.

Eligibility Criteria and Supporting Materials Guidelines

Eligibility Criteria

NOMINATED CANDIDATES MUST MEET ALL OF THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA

IN TEACHING:

• Be a highly qualified teacher

• Demonstrate a desire to promote excellence in teaching

• Display exemplary interpersonal skills in communicating with students, parents, administrators, community members, and colleagues

IN CHARACTER:

• Exhibit a strong spirit of collegiality that recognizes the interests of fellow teachers

• Have strength of character and high ethical standards that create a climate of caring and respect among colleagues, students, and the greater community

• Demonstrate poise, eloquence, and professionalism in the presence of a demanding schedule

IN SERVICE:

• Demonstrate selflessness by volunteering significant time and effort to professional musical organizations

• Participate in peer coaching and mentoring activities

• Exhibit leadership by serving on board and/or committee positions for professionalmusic organizations such as NJMTA, MTNA and/or SJMTA.

• Participate as an active member of NJMTA for a minimum of 5 consecutive years

Required Supporting Materials

NOMINATED CANDIDATES MUST SUBMIT EVIDENCE IN THE FORM OF SUPPORTING MATERIALS

• Teaching/professional achievements - NCTM and/or recognized degrees and awards

• Teaching experience including number of years

• Proof of leadership as stated above and community involvement as a music teacher or a musician

• Recommendations of support (parents, students, colleagues, supervisors, etc.)

Nomination Process Guidelines

NJMTA TEACHER OF THE YEAR (TOY) NOMINATION PROCESS

The NJMTA Teacher of the Year Award uses a two-step nomination process. Each step requires a separate form. Questions regarding the nomination forms and/or process should be directed to the NJMTA President president@njmta.com.

STEP ONE: NOMINATION FORM (NF)
Completed by the Nominator
2026 Nomination Form

STEP TWO: NOMINEE PORTFOLIO (NP)
Completed by the Nominee
2026 Nominee Portfolio

Only NJMTA members whose membership is current as of September 1, 2026, may complete the forms.

Before submitting the Nomination Form, the nominator must speak with the teacher they wish to nominate and obtain their agreement to proceed.

Both the nominator and nominee should:

• Review the TOY Eligibility Criteria and Supporting Materials Guidelines.
• Understand and follow all designated deadlines.
• Understand which individual is responsible for completing each form.
• Understand that the TOY Committee must review and process Step One before the nominee may proceed to Step Two. Once Step One has been processed, the committee will provide the nominee with access to the Nominee Portfolio.
• Understand that the Nominee Portfolio requires multiple supporting materials and should be prepared in advance to allow adequate time for completion.
• Understand that the nominator is responsible for submitting the Formal Nomination Letter required in Section 6 of the Nominee Portfolio.

STEP ONE: NOMINATION FORM

The Nomination Form is to be completed by the nominator and consists of three sections:

1. Nominator and Nominee Information: Names and membership numbers of the nominator and nominee.

2. Letter of Intention to Nominate: A brief statement explaining the intent to nominate the candidate. Word limit: 500 words

3. Deadline: Friday, October 2, 2026, 11:59pm.

After the deadline, the TOY Committee will review and process the submitted nominations. Nominees whose nominations meet the Step One requirements will then be invited to complete Step Two.

STEP TWO: NOMINEE PORTFOLIO

The Nominee Portfolio is to be completed by the nominee and must be submitted by: Monday, October 26, 2026, 11:59pm.

The portfolio consists of seven sections:

1. Nominee Information: Basic information about the nominee, including membership information and teaching area(s).

2. Curriculum Vitae: Please upload a current CV outlining your professional education, teaching experience, certifications, awards, professional development, presentations, leadership experience, and other relevant professional activities.

3. Leadership Experience: Service to NJMTA, MTNA, and/or SJMTA. Nominees must demonstrate a minimum of five years of leadership service.
   Please list applicable positions and corresponding years of service, including:

   • Board Position(s)

   • Committee Chairperson

   • Event Chairperson

   • Committee Member

   • Coordinator

   • Event Assistant

4. Student Accomplishments: Please describe significant accomplishments of your students, including notable performances, awards, competitions, college acceptances, or other achievements. Word limit: 600 words

5. Recommendations of Support: Upload a maximum of 10 letters of recommendation. Recommendations should reflect the scope of the nominee's work and may come from students, parents, colleagues, supervisors, or other individuals familiar with the nominee's professional contributions. Each recommendation: 500 words or fewer

6. Formal Nomination Letter from the Nominator: The nominator must submit a formal letter explaining why the nominee is deserving of the NJMTA Teacher of the Year Award. Word limit: 750 words

7. Biography of Nominee: Submit a biography to be shared with the NJMTA membership. Word limit: 500 words
   Please focus on:

   • Professional background and teaching experience

   • Education and credentials

   • Significant professional accomplishments

   • Contributions to NJMTA and the broader music community

   • Teaching philosophy or impact

PAST recipients of this award

2025 Betty Stoloff
2024 Amy I-Yun Tu
2023 Stella Xu
2022 Veda Zuponcic
2021 Marianne Lauffer
2020 Tomoko Harada
2019 Julia Lam
2018 Sondra Tammam